WALLENSTEIN.
135
Was ne'er an hypocrite's mask.
(The Groom of the Chamber takes off his mantle, collar and scarf.)
(The Groom of the Chamber takes off his mantle, collar and scarf.)
WALLENSTEIN.
Take care—what is that?
Take care—what is that?
GROOM of the CHAMBER.
The golden chain is snapp'd in two.
The golden chain is snapp'd in two.
WALLENSTEIN.
Well, it has lasted long enough. Here—give it.
(He takes and looks at the chain.)
'Twas the first present of the Emperor.
He hung it round me in the war of Friule,
He being then Archduke; and I have worn it
Till now from habit
From superstition if you will. Belike,
It was to be a Talisman to me,
And while I wore it on my neck in faith,
It was to chain to me all my life long,
The volatile fortune, whose first pledge it was.
Well, be it so! Henceforward a new fortune
Must spring up for me; for the potency
Of this charm is dissolv'd.
(Groom of the Chamber retires with the vestments. Wallenstein rises, takes a stride across the room, and stands at last before Gordon in a posture of meditation.)
How the old time returns upon me! I
Behold myself once more at Burgau, where
We two were Pages of the Court together.
We oftentimes disputed: thy intention
Was ever good; but thou wert wont to play
Well, it has lasted long enough. Here—give it.
(He takes and looks at the chain.)
'Twas the first present of the Emperor.
He hung it round me in the war of Friule,
He being then Archduke; and I have worn it
Till now from habit
From superstition if you will. Belike,
It was to be a Talisman to me,
And while I wore it on my neck in faith,
It was to chain to me all my life long,
The volatile fortune, whose first pledge it was.
Well, be it so! Henceforward a new fortune
Must spring up for me; for the potency
Of this charm is dissolv'd.
(Groom of the Chamber retires with the vestments. Wallenstein rises, takes a stride across the room, and stands at last before Gordon in a posture of meditation.)
How the old time returns upon me! I
Behold myself once more at Burgau, where
We two were Pages of the Court together.
We oftentimes disputed: thy intention
Was ever good; but thou wert wont to play
The
